| acrylic adhesive |
A type of structural adhesive made from acrylic, a transparent polymer that is tough and flexible. Acrylic adhesives set rapidly and are very strong due to heavy cross-linking. |
| additive |
A substance added to another substance or material to change or improve performance. |
| adhesive |
A substance used to join two or more materials. Adhesives have a wide range of properties which make them suitable for a variety of manufacturing situations. |
| adhesive strength |
The ability of an adhesive to stick to a surface. Adhesive strength allows an adhesive to bond two surfaces together. |
| anaerobic adhesive |
A type of structural adhesive that can cure and harden only in an oxygen-free environment. |
| blooming |
The condensation of evaporated adhesive on a part. Blooming occurs most often with cyanoacrylates. |
| brittle |
A material's unwillingness to be drawn, stretched, or formed. Brittle materials tend to break or crack if subjected to these forces. |
| centipoise |
A unit of measurement that describes viscosity, or a liquid's resistance to flow. A centipoise is one/one hundredth of a poise. |
| chemical properties |
The properties that describe a material's ability to withstand deterioration by solvents, chemicals, or water on the chemical level. |
| cleavage strength |
A material's ability to resist forces that can pull it apart by separating two rigid surfaces. In general, adhesives have low cleavage strength. |
| cohesive strength |
The ability of adhesive molecules to remain connected and not tear apart. Adhesives with low cohesive strength bond to a surface, but still cannot hold the joint together. |
| color |
The quality that determines an adhesive's hue, lightness, or saturation. Color is determined by light reflected by the adhesive. |
| creep |
The deformation of a material that occurs over time due to the presence of a constant load. |
| creep strength |
The ability of an adhesive to withstand a constant weight or force over an extended period of time. |
| cross-link |
To develop primary bonds between polymer molecules. |
| cure |
To cause a material to bond by permanently cross-linking its molecules. Adhesives cure as they solidify. |
| cure time |
The length of time needed for an adhesive to cure fully. If an adhesive is not given enough time to cure, the bond will fail. |
| curing |
The process in which an adhesive undergoes a molecular reaction and becomes a solid. Curing may require light, heat, or the passage of a specific amount of time. |
| curing accelerator |
A type of additive that increases the speed of curing in an adhesive. |
| cyanoacrylate |
A type of synthetic adhesive made from acrylic, a manufactured polymer. Cyanoacrylates bond with surfaces very quickly. |
| damping |
The ability of a material to resist deformation through vibration. |
| elastic |
Capable of resuming original shape after experiencing temporary deformation. Solid materials can be elastic but liquids and gases cannot. |
| elasticity |
The measure of a material's ability to reshape itself after it has been stretched or deformed. A rubber band has high elasticity. |
| electrical conductivity |
A material's ability to act as a medium for conveying electricity. |
| epoxy adhesive |
A type of structural adhesive made from epoxy, a manufactured polymer. Epoxy adhesives form strong resilient bonds with a variety of surfaces. |
| flammability |
The ability or tendency to ignite or burn when exposed to an open flame. |
| glass transition temperature |
The temperature at which the adhesive physically changes from a solid to a liquid or from a liquid to a solid. |
| green strength |
The ability of an adhesive to be handled before it has completely cured. Green strength allows a part to continue moving through the assembly line while the adhesive cures. |
| hardness |
A material's ability to resist penetration, indentation, or scratching. |
| hydrolysis |
The decomposition of an adhesive due to extensive water exposure. Hydrolysis negatively affects the properties of an adhesive. |
| load |
The overall force applied to a material or structure. |
| mechanical properties |
The characteristics of a material that determine how it reacts when it is subjected to some type of force that attempts to stretch, dent, scratch, or break it. |
| metal ion |
An atom in a metal compound that has an electrical charge. Metal ions can cause adhesives to cure. |
| moisture |
Water that is condensed as droplets. Moisture can affect the properties of adhesives. |
| nonmechanical properties |
The characteristics of a material that determine how it reacts to forces that are not mechanical. Chemical and physical properties are examples of nonmechanical properties. |
| one-part curing |
A type of adhesive that does not need to be mixed with another material in order to cure. |
| part blueprint |
A document that contains the instructions necessary for the application of an adhesive to a part. |
| peel strength |
A material's ability to resist forces that can pull it apart by separating a flexible surface from a rigid surface. In general, adhesives have low peel strength. |
| physical properties |
The set of properties that describe a material's ability to melt, conduct heat and electricity, and expand or shrink. |
| properties |
The essential characteristics of a material that distinguish it from other materials. |
| shear strength |
A material's ability to resist forces that can cause the internal structure of the material to slide against itself. In general, adhesives have high shear strength. |
| shelf life |
The length of time an adhesive can remain in storage without losing its properties. |
| shrink |
To reduce in size. Adhesives shrink as they cure and solidify. |
| silicone adhesive |
A type of structural adhesive made from silicone, a water repellent material that contains the silicon atom. Silicone adhesives will set as soon as they contact air. |
| strain |
The physical change that takes place in an object when it is under stress. Strain is a measurement of stress. |
| strength |
The ability of a material to resist forces that attempt to break or deform it. |
| stress |
A force that attempts to deform an object. The stronger the stress, the more a solid will physically change. |
| tackifier |
A type of additive that increases the tackiness of an adhesive. |
| tackiness |
The ability of an adhesive to form an immediate bond with a surface upon contact. |
| temperature |
A measurement of the degree of heat within a material. |
| temperature resistance |
The ability of an adhesive to work at very high or very low temperatures. |
| tensile strength |
A material's ability to resist forces that attempt to stretch it or pull it apart. In general, adhesives have high tensile strength. |
| two-part curing |
A type of adhesive that must be mixed with a curing accelerator in order to cure. |
| urethane adhesive |
A type of structural adhesive made from urethane, a manufactured polymer known for its strength and versatility. Urethane adhesives form flexible joints. |
| viscoelastic |
Having both viscous and elastic qualities. Adhesives are viscoelastic materials. |
| viscoelasticity |
A material's ability to have both viscous and elastic qualities. Adhesives are viscoelastic. |
| viscosity |
A liquid's resistance to flow. The higher the viscosity, the more the liquid resists flowing. |
| viscous |
Having the ability to resist flow. Honey is a good example of a viscous liquid, while water is not. |
| working life |
The time period during which an adhesive must be used after its container has been opened or, in the case of two-part curing adhesives, after it has been mixed. |